Lowndes Secures Favorable Ruling in Dispute Regarding Affordable Housing Project
December 01, 2022
Lowndes has secured a pivotal fair housing ruling for client Wendover Housing Partners in a proceeding involving the City of Apopka. Earlier this week, Judge Thompson, Senior Judge for the Orange County Circuit Court, found that it was a violation of the Florida Fair Housing Act for a city to impose restrictions on the development of housing based upon the financing of that housing. The Florida Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination in land use decisions and the permitting of development based upon the source of financing of the development or the proposed development.
In a case of first impression, Judge Thompson found the City of Apopka’s restriction that required residential multi-family be rented at market rate and be non-subsidized was a violation of that section of the Florida Fair Housing Act. The City’s restriction, if lawful, would have prohibited affordable housing from being developed on the property because such housing is developed utilizing financing sources that limit the amount of rent that is charged to its tenants.
In his ruling, Judge Thompson enjoined the City from enforcing the restriction thus allowing affordable housing to be developed on the property.
Wendover was represented by litigation attorney Rebecca Rhoden.
Related articles:
- Judge Rules Against Apopka, Decides City Center Can Have ‘Workforce Housing’
- Wendover Wins Lawsuit Over Apopka Affordable Housing Plans
- Judge: Apopka Can’t Block Affordable Housing Project in City’s ‘Crown Jewel’
- Southwick Commons Wins Lawsuit Against City of Apopka to Develop Affordable Housing Project in City Center Area
- Wendover Sues City of Apopka for Blocking Its Proposed Affordable Housing Project on City Center parcel
- Developer Sues Apopka for Kiboshing Affordable Housing in City Center